Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Tennessee
The combination of inflation and increased work-from-home opportunities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted migration patterns across the United States, the effects of which are still being felt in 2024, according to the latest Census Bureau data.
In the first year of the pandemic, migration out of densely populated, expensive cities like New York and San Francisco was especially notable. Many moved to Sun Belt states where the weather is warmer and the cost of living significantly lower.
But by the second year of the pandemic, it became clear that not everyone who was moving wanted to go far. A 2022 analysis of movement out of crowded cities from Stateline showed that many people leaving city centers moved to nearby suburbs in the same state. In Texas, for example, moves out of Houston rose 62% in the first month of the pandemic; meanwhile, the western suburb of Katy saw more new residents move in than any other part of the country.
According to the latest data from the Census Bureau, released in September 2023, 53.5% of people who moved in 2022 did so within the same county and an additional 24.3% remained in state, meaning more than three-quarters of movers stuck close to home.
Many young people in particular are remaining in the state, town, or even house that they grew up in. Before the pandemic, the number of younger adults living with their parents was on the rise and those patterns have continued. A late 2023 survey released by Lending Tree found that 57% of millennials and Gen Zers live in their hometowns.
Many people choose not to leave the state they were raised in for reasons ranging from wanting to be close to family, to not having the resources to leave, to sticking with a lower cost of living.
In order to determine where people stay put in your home state, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Tennessee using data from the Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the highest percentage of residents who were born in the state according to the latest data, which is 2022 five-year estimates. The percentage of residents who were born in another state, a U.S. territory, and another country is also included.
Read on to find out where the most loyal Tennessee residents live.
#50. Perry County
- Population: 8,432
- Born in Tennessee: 5,550 (65.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,719 (32.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 41 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 122 (1.4% of population)
#49. Sequatchie County
- Population: 16,065
- Born in Tennessee: 10,575 (65.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,066 (31.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 42 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 382 (2.4% of population)
#48. Carter County
- Population: 56,315
- Born in Tennessee: 37,184 (66.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 17,723 (31.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 244 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,164 (2.1% of population)
#47. Grainger County
- Population: 23,648
- Born in Tennessee: 15,686 (66.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,072 (29.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 198 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 692 (2.9% of population)
#46. Weakley County
- Population: 32,946
- Born in Tennessee: 21,888 (66.4% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,162 (30.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 240 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 656 (2.0% of population)
#45. Meigs County
- Population: 12,839
- Born in Tennessee: 8,543 (66.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,985 (31.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 75 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 236 (1.8% of population)
#44. Hardin County
- Population: 26,824
- Born in Tennessee: 17,921 (66.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,412 (31.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 208 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 283 (1.1% of population)
#43. Marshall County
- Population: 34,567
- Born in Tennessee: 23,150 (67.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,228 (29.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 175 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,014 (2.9% of population)
#42. Hancock County
- Population: 6,726
- Born in Tennessee: 4,513 (67.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,086 (31.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 49 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 78 (1.2% of population)
#41. Dickson County
- Population: 54,563
- Born in Tennessee: 36,611 (67.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,769 (30.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 342 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 841 (1.5% of population)
#40. Campbell County
- Population: 39,397
- Born in Tennessee: 26,470 (67.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,490 (31.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 56 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 381 (1.0% of population)
#39. Humphreys County
- Population: 19,032
- Born in Tennessee: 12,807 (67.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,743 (30.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 97 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 385 (2.0% of population)
#38. Rhea County
- Population: 33,031
- Born in Tennessee: 22,238 (67.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 9,799 (29.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 139 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 855 (2.6% of population)
#37. Fayette County
- Population: 42,228
- Born in Tennessee: 28,570 (67.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,396 (29.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 231 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,031 (2.4% of population)
#36. Bledsoe County
- Population: 14,816
- Born in Tennessee: 10,028 (67.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,400 (29.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 73 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 315 (2.1% of population)
#35. Trousdale County
- Population: 11,596
- Born in Tennessee: 7,905 (68.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,442 (29.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 44 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 205 (1.8% of population)
#34. Cocke County
- Population: 36,186
- Born in Tennessee: 24,671 (68.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 10,782 (29.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 287 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 446 (1.2% of population)
#33. Unicoi County
- Population: 17,845
- Born in Tennessee: 12,167 (68.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,184 (29.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 5 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 489 (2.7% of population)
#32. Lewis County
- Population: 12,637
- Born in Tennessee: 8,663 (68.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 3,663 (29.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 116 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 195 (1.5% of population)
#31. Obion County
- Population: 30,670
- Born in Tennessee: 21,095 (68.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,749 (28.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 119 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 707 (2.3% of population)
#30. Marion County
- Population: 28,852
- Born in Tennessee: 20,054 (69.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,417 (29.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 104 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 277 (1.0% of population)
#29. Cannon County
- Population: 14,481
- Born in Tennessee: 10,071 (69.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,142 (28.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 46 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 222 (1.5% of population)
#28. White County
- Population: 27,420
- Born in Tennessee: 19,100 (69.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,802 (28.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 161 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 357 (1.3% of population)
#27. Hawkins County
- Population: 57,107
- Born in Tennessee: 39,883 (69.8% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,584 (29.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 144 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 496 (0.9% of population)
#26. Overton County
- Population: 22,576
- Born in Tennessee: 15,836 (70.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,575 (29.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 12 (0.1% of population)
- Born in another country: 153 (0.7% of population)
#25. Hickman County
- Population: 24,996
- Born in Tennessee: 17,536 (70.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,030 (28.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 121 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 309 (1.2% of population)
#24. Tipton County
- Population: 61,116
- Born in Tennessee: 42,991 (70.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 16,668 (27.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 543 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 914 (1.5% of population)
#23. Van Buren County
- Population: 6,182
- Born in Tennessee: 4,367 (70.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,798 (29.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 3 (0.0% of population)
- Born in another country: 14 (0.2% of population)
#22. Carroll County
- Population: 28,381
- Born in Tennessee: 20,137 (71.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 7,399 (26.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 373 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 472 (1.7% of population)
#21. Madison County
- Population: 98,644
- Born in Tennessee: 70,074 (71.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 24,672 (25.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 562 (0.6% of population)
- Born in another country: 3,336 (3.4% of population)
#20. Fentress County
- Population: 18,642
- Born in Tennessee: 13,280 (71.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,063 (27.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 66 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 233 (1.2% of population)
#19. Morgan County
- Population: 21,124
- Born in Tennessee: 15,234 (72.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,685 (26.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 76 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 129 (0.6% of population)
#18. Moore County
- Population: 6,558
- Born in Tennessee: 4,730 (72.1% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,642 (25.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 20 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 166 (2.5% of population)
#17. Lawrence County
- Population: 44,377
- Born in Tennessee: 32,088 (72.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 11,570 (26.1% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 244 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 475 (1.1% of population)
#16. Chester County
- Population: 17,392
- Born in Tennessee: 12,618 (72.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,519 (26.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 51 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 204 (1.2% of population)
#15. Gibson County
- Population: 50,455
- Born in Tennessee: 36,827 (73.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 12,389 (24.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 207 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 1,032 (2.0% of population)
#14. Macon County
- Population: 25,365
- Born in Tennessee: 18,523 (73.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 6,217 (24.5% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 105 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 520 (2.1% of population)
#13. Warren County
- Population: 41,163
- Born in Tennessee: 30,146 (73.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,555 (20.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 370 (0.9% of population)
- Born in another country: 2,092 (5.1% of population)
#12. Smith County
- Population: 20,034
- Born in Tennessee: 14,675 (73.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,954 (24.7% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 84 (0.4% of population)
- Born in another country: 321 (1.6% of population)
#11. Lake County
- Population: 6,898
- Born in Tennessee: 5,054 (73.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 1,617 (23.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 92 (1.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 135 (2.0% of population)
#10. Scott County
- Population: 21,917
- Born in Tennessee: 16,102 (73.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,618 (25.6% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 57 (0.3% of population)
- Born in another country: 140 (0.6% of population)
#9. Dyer County
- Population: 36,818
- Born in Tennessee: 27,070 (73.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 8,928 (24.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 169 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 651 (1.8% of population)
#8. Union County
- Population: 19,860
- Born in Tennessee: 14,696 (74.0% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,933 (24.8% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 150 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 81 (0.4% of population)
#7. Decatur County
- Population: 11,483
- Born in Tennessee: 8,632 (75.2% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,744 (23.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 82 (0.7% of population)
- Born in another country: 25 (0.2% of population)
#6. Hardeman County
- Population: 25,519
- Born in Tennessee: 19,811 (77.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,362 (21.0% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 56 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 290 (1.1% of population)
#5. Crockett County
- Population: 13,955
- Born in Tennessee: 10,841 (77.7% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,360 (16.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 24 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 730 (5.2% of population)
#4. Henderson County
- Population: 27,845
- Born in Tennessee: 22,166 (79.6% of population)
- Born in a different state: 5,116 (18.4% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 218 (0.8% of population)
- Born in another country: 345 (1.2% of population)
#3. Grundy County
- Population: 13,550
- Born in Tennessee: 10,874 (80.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,606 (19.2% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 30 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 40 (0.3% of population)
#2. Lauderdale County
- Population: 25,171
- Born in Tennessee: 20,512 (81.5% of population)
- Born in a different state: 4,342 (17.3% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 44 (0.2% of population)
- Born in another country: 273 (1.1% of population)
#1. Haywood County
- Population: 17,806
- Born in Tennessee: 14,838 (83.3% of population)
- Born in a different state: 2,471 (13.9% of population)
- Born in U.S. territories: 96 (0.5% of population)
- Born in another country: 401 (2.3% of population)
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
